Victoria lights up with Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Titles

Amber Harrison & Jordie Campbell take top honor at Urquhart Bluff

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 February, 2017 - The Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surf Titles was held over the weekend at Urquhart Bluff on the Great Ocean Road. 75 indigenous surfers from across the state gathered to celebrate the 19th annual event, which brings together indigenous communities in a fun weekend of surfing and culture.

Communities represented at the event included East Gippsland, Portland and the South West, Koroit, Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton, Metropolitan Melbourne, Bass Coast, Mornington Peninsula and a strong contingent from the local Geelong and Surf Coast.

The event was opened on Saturday by the Deadly Dancers from the local Wathaurong community and cleansed with a traditional smoking ceremony. This was followed by learn to surf sessions where all of the participants were given a skills and a water safety lesson. Conditions were tricky with large onshore surf and squalls of rain through out the day. In the afternoon the junior competitive divisions were finalised including and the Open Women and Masters Women.

Sunday saw both the Open and Masters men’s competing in a clean, increasing swell. Jordie Campbell of Sandy Point won his 9th consecutive Open Men’s Title and gained a wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro Trials at Bells Beach.

Under 16 Girls Champion Amelia Bell from Koroit win the Encouragement Award. She was awarded a surfboard, donated by 3X World Champion Mick Fanning with custom Indigenous artwork by Nathan Patterson.

The Good Sports Award provided the Department of Justice was awarded to Taj Simpson a keen local Torquay surfer.

The Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surf Titles is presented by VicHealth, Play It Safe by the Water and HIF Australia and Supported by Wathaurong Co-Op, Wathaurong Glass, Australian Government National Land Care Project, Corangamite Catchment Authority, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, CFMEU Parks Victoria, Department of Justice, ONABAC, Quiksilver and Farm Foods.